Join classicists Sarah Iles Johnston and Daisy Dunn as they delve into the timeless allure of Greek mythology. Johnston explores the adaptability of these ancient tales and their moral lessons on arrogance and resilience, while Dunn highlights the modern cultural revival of myths. They discuss characters like Medea and the creativity behind adapting these narratives to address contemporary issues. Discover how these age-old stories still resonate today and evoke existential questions, showcasing the dynamic relationship between gods and mortals.
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insights INSIGHT
Inspiration and Approach
Sarah Iles Johnston's book was inspired by the resurgent interest in Greek myths and her research on storytelling.
She applied ancient Greek storytelling techniques, like episodic narratives and interconnected story worlds, to her retellings.
insights INSIGHT
Interconnected Myths and Storytelling
Greek myths are fluid, with stories interconnected through character relationships and family trees.
Johnston aimed for accuracy to ancient sources while avoiding interrupting the narrative flow with scholarly commentary.
insights INSIGHT
Myths and the Unseen Order
In a secular age, myths, like fantasy fiction, offer a way to explore the "unseen order."
They provide a safe space to contemplate these big questions without requiring religious belief.
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In 'Gods and Mortals: Ancient Greek Myths for Modern Readers', Sarah Iles Johnston offers a vibrant and compelling retelling of Greek myths, from the origin of the cosmos to the aftermath of the Trojan War. The book highlights the rich connections between characters and stories, emphasizes often-overlooked female perspectives, and features captivating original illustrations by Tristan Johnston.
Mythos
The Greek Myths Retold
Stephen Fry
Anna Llisterri i Boix
Jesus Sotes
Circe
Madeline Miller
In this novel, Madeline Miller reimagines the life of Circe, the daughter of the Titan sun god Helios and the nymph Perse. Circe, who is neither as powerful as her father nor as alluring as her mother, finds her own path through the discovery of witchcraft. After being banished to the island of Aiaia by Zeus, Circe hones her magical abilities and encounters various figures from Greek mythology, including the Minotaur, Daedalus, Icarus, Medea, and Odysseus. The story explores themes of identity, love, loss, and female strength in a patriarchal world. Circe's journey is marked by her transformation from an outcast to a powerful goddess who must choose between her divine heritage and her love for mortals.
Hercules, Prometheus, Pandora. The compelling characters of Greek mythology continue to fascinate readers thousands of years after their stories were first told. For this edition of the podcast, leading classicist Sarah Iles Johnston comes to Intelligence Squared to discuss their enduring popularity, which is the basis of her recent book, Gods and Mortals: Ancient Greek Myths for Modern Readers. Joining her in conversation is fellow classicist and author Daisy Dunn, author of Gods and Men: 100 Stories from Ancient Greece and Rome.
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